Metabolism of Digitoxin in Individual Plants of Digitalis lanata

Abstract

Leaf discs of one and two year old plants of Digitalis lanata Ehrh. metabolize ³H–digitoxin to desacetyl lanatoside A, lanatoside A, and the corresponding C–12 hydroxylated compounds, desacetyl lanatoside C and lanatoside C.

Individual plants from different sources show wide variations in their metabolic profile. A simple test for the screening of plant individuals for high C–12 hydroxylation ability is described.

Digitalis lanata - Cardenolides - Digitoxin Metabolism - 12–Hydroxylation - Screening Techniques